International Comparative Features of the ACT and SAT 2016–20171

The ACT® Test SAT®

(ACT) (College Board)

Test Fee • $93.50 • $78.00–$107.50, depending on location

• $109.50 (with writing)
Pricing subject to change

Test Purpose Designed to measure academic achievement in: Designed to measure:2

• Reading • Reading
• Mathematics • Mathematics
• English • Writing and Language
• Writing (optional) • The SAT Essay (Optional)
• Science

Accepted for The ACT is accepted by all colleges and universities in the United Accepted by all US colleges.3
University States and more than 225 other universities around the world.
Admission
US High School
Graduates Tested 1,924,436 1,548,198
in 20154
Test ACT Mathematics Test (60 items, 60 minutes) SAT Mathematics (Total 58 items, 80 minutes)
Content Multiple-Choice 100% Calculator Portion (38 items, 55 Minutes)
• Preparing for higher math Multiple-Choice 79%, Grid-In 21%
-- Number & Quantity • Heart of Algebra
-- Algebra • Problem Solving and Data Analysis
-- Functions • Passport to Advanced Math
-- Geometry • Other Topics
-- Statistics & Probability No-Calculator Portion (20 items with 25 minutes)
• Integrating essential skills Multiple-Choice 75%, Grid-In 25%
• Modeling • Heart of Algebra
• Passport to Advanced Math
• Other Topics

ACT Reading Test (40 items, 35 minutes) SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
Multiple-Choice 100% Reading Test (52 items, 65 minutes)
• Key ideas and details • US and World Literature
• Craft and structure • History/Social Studies
• Integration of knowledge and ideas • Science
Writing and Language Test (44 items, 35 Minutes)
ACT English Test (75 items, 45 minutes) • Careers
Multiple-Choice 100% • History/Social Studies
• Production of Writing • Humanities
-- Topic Development • Science
-- Organization, Unity, and Cohesion
• Knowledge of Language
• Conventions of Standard English
-- Sentence Structure and Formation
-- Punctuation
-- Usage

ACT Science Test (40 items, 35 minutes) No Science Test

Multiple-Choice 100% Note: Reading subject test is constructed of 40% science
• Interpretation of data and the Writing and Language subject test is constructed
• Scientific investigation of 25% science.
• Evaluation of Models, inferences, and experimental results

Passage Formats on the Science Test:

• Data Representation
• Research Summaries
• Conflicting Viewpoints
ACT Writing Test (optional) (1 prompt, 40 minutes) SAT Essay (optional) (1 task, 50 minutes)
Measures writing skills emphasized in high school Tests reading, analysis, and writing skills; students produce
English classes and in entry-level college composition a written analysis of a provided source text.
courses. Consists of one 40-minute essay.

Method of Scores based on number of right answers. Scores based on number of right answers.
Scoring No penalty for incorrect answers. No penalty for incorrect answers.

1. Every effort has been made to represent the ACT and SAT information accurately and concisely. All information has been drawn from official publications and websites of the organizations.
2. www.collegeboard.org/releases/2014/expand-opportunity-redesign-sat.
3. Information from https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/about/benefits
4. Figures are from the test publishers’ Program Results Reports, and include US students in the 2015 high school graduating class who took the ACT or SAT.

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 Comparative Features of the ACT and SAT 2016–20171

The ACT® Test SAT®

(ACT) (College Board)

Test Score ACT Composite Score: 1–36 SAT Composite Score: 400-1600
Scales • Average of four test scores • Sum of two section scores
• Does not include writing • Does not include essay

ACT Mathematics Test: 1–36 SAT Mathematics: 200–800

ACT Reading Test: 1–36 SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 200-800

ACT English Test: 1–36

ACT Science Test: 1–36 No Science Test

ACT Writing Test (optional): 2–12 SAT Essay (optional): 200–800

Additional Scores and Indicators

(New readiness scores and indicators give students, parents, and
educators more detailed insights to better plan for future success.)
• STEM Score:1–36
• ELA Score:1–36
• Progress Toward Career Readiness Indicator
• Text Complexity Progress Indicator

Student Student Profile Section Student Descriptive Questionnaire

Information When students complete the Profile section, ACT connects their unique • Background (Demographics)
interests, abilities, and values with potential education and career paths. • Academic Background
• Admission/Enrollment Information • High School and Community Activities
• Educational Plans, Interests, and Goals • Sports
• College Extracurricular Plans • Student Plans for College
• Financial Aid
• Background Information (Demographics)
• High School Courses, Grades, and Extracurricular Activities
• Out of Class Accomplishments
Educational and Career Planning
• ACT Interest Inventory5
• ACT World-of-Work Map6
• College Majors and Programs

Common • Admissions • Admissions

Uses7 • Talent Identification • Talent Identification
• Academic Advising • Academic Advising
• Freshman Course Placement Decisions • Awarding Scholarships (not sole criterion)
• Awarding Course Credit, Especially in English and Math Courses
• Awarding Scholarships (not sole criterion)

Research • Class Profile Service • Class Profile Service

Services8 • Admissions Service • Validity Research Service
• Course Placement Service
• Retention Research Service
• ACT Enrollment Information Service (ACT EIS)

5. ACT Interest Inventory matches your interests and skills to job descriptions. One of the most difficult tasks faced by students is to find occupations appropriate to their goals and personal characteristics. The ACT Interest Inventory
provides a focus to career exploration by pointing to world-of-work regions individuals may wish to explore. Through exploration, people can find occupations they might otherwise have missed.
6. The ACT World-of-Work Map organizes occupations into six clusters (occupational types), 12 regions, and 26 career areas (groups of similar jobs). It shows how occupations relate to each other according to primary work tasks.
7. These are common uses by universities to identify and qualify students for admission.
8. These are common uses by research services groups to study demographics and comparative analysis.

© 2016 by ACT, Inc. All rights reserved. MS756 2 *082105170* Rev 3